Hiya! My name is Nora and I am currently doing the GW Chile Study abroad program!
One of the great things about Chile is undoubtedly its geography, and as a country with so much coastline, beaches are abundant. On one Sunday I decided to do a day trip to Concón, a coastal city about a two-hour bus ride from Santiago. I chose Concón because it is known to be a great surfing destination. There was certainly no disappointment. I went with two friends and we took a group surfing class. The school provided us with a wetsuit, surfboard, and lockers.
After an hour of help from an instructor, we were given two more hours to practice with the boards. I had surfed before but my two friends had never been on a board, yet we all stood up multiple times. Every wave was perfect to catch and the shore is relatively shallow so you can ride a wave for a long time. For lunch, we had empanadas and ceviche then took a quick and cheap Uber to Viña del Mar to have some ice cream on the beach and catch a bus home.
My day in Concón was one of the top experiences I’ve ever had. The waves and surf schools are super accommodating for beginners and easy to learn on. The town has a different feel than the city, with many Concón residents having rarely been to Santiago. The only thing is there are not many buses that leave from Concón to Santiago, but you can go to Viña del Mar either by Uber/bus/or walking (3 hours) and get a bus back from there (they leave every 30 minutes). If you have the opportunity, this is an amazing day trip and a great way to learn how to surf!
Nora Ball
Spring 2024
GW Chile - English Track (GW Study Program)
Elliott School of International Affairs International Affairs Major
The Global Bachelor's Program